Cubs win at windy Wrigley

Alou's blast ends 'weird' victory over Cincinnati

? Wacky, weird things usually happen when the wind blows out at Wrigley Field, and this game was no exception.

Both managers were ejected, Sammy Sosa homered to tie the game in the ninth, and Moises Alou immediately followed with a game-winning shot to give the Chicago Cubs a wild 11-10 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

The teams also combined for eight home runs — including one by Ken Griffey Jr. so pretty even he had to pause to admire it — and an umpire left early because of food poisoning.

“That was one of the weirdest, coolest, craziest games that I’ve ever been a part of, I’ll tell you that,” Sean Casey said. “That was an unbelievably weird game.”

Yes it was, right down to the very end. With the Cubs trailing 10-9, Sosa led off the bottom of the ninth with a homer to right-center off Reds closer Danny Graves. It was Sosa’s 512th home run for the Cubs, tying Hall of Famer Ernie Banks for the club record.

Alou gave Sosa a high-five when Sosa crossed home plate. Seconds later, it was Alou’s turn to celebrate.

Alou sent a 1-0 pitch from Graves (0-1) over the wall in left-center to end it. Alou knew his second home run of the day was gone as soon as it left his bat, throwing his left arm into the air as the Cubs spilled out of the dugout. His teammates were waiting to greet him at home, and they turned the plate into a mini mosh pit, bopping up and down.

Alou was 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Aramis Ramirez homered for a third straight day and finished with five RBIs, one shy of his career high.

“They kept scoring, we kept coming back. They kept scoring, we kept coming back. To finally win, that was awesome,” Alou said, a wide grin on his face. “I don’t really show too many emotions, but I just couldn’t control it.”

Reds skipper Dave Miley was tossed in the fourth inning for arguing a called strike on Sean Casey. Then in the seventh, it was Cubs manager Dusty Baker’s turn.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou watches the flight of his game-winning home run in the ninth inning. The Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds, 11-10, Friday in Chicago.

Shortstop Ramon Martinez and left-hander Kent Mercker were brought in as a double switch in the top of the inning. Mercker was supposed to bat in the eighth spot, with Martinez hitting ninth — but crew chief Mike Reilly said home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor was never told.

When Martinez led off the bottom of the inning with a double, Reds bench coach Jerry Narron asked Bucknor if there’d been a lineup switch. Bucknor said no, and Martinez was called out because the Cubs had batted out of order.

Baker sprinted out to the mound with his lineup card and argued, but to no avail. When Baker was told the call stood, he got irate. Yelling and screaming, he tossed the lineup card on the ground, and Bucknor ejected him. Then Baker threw his hat on the ground.

“I haven’t been that mad in, WHOO!” Baker said. “I’m not proud of it. I called my wife and asked if my son saw it. She said he was in the bath tub. I’m glad he didn’t see it. I hope he doesn’t see the replay.”

Astros 2, Brewers 0

Houston — Roy Oswalt pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10 in his second career shutout. Oswalt (2-0) retired 17 of his final 18 batters and threw just 94 pitches. He walked none and matched a career low for hits allowed, accomplished twice before.

Doug Davis (1-2) was the loser, going six innings and giving up one run and five hits.

Braves 5, Marlins 4

Atlanta — Eli Marrero and Chipper Jones each hit a two-run homer, and Julio Franco knocked in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in a three-run sixth, helping end Florida’s seven-game winning streak.

Pirates 7, Mets 6

New York — Jack Wilson had a go-ahead RBI single in a seven-run eighth inning, and Pittsburgh — limited to one hit over the first seven innings by Tom Glavine — held on.

Kip Wells (2-1) allowed four hits and two runs over seven innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Jose Mesa got three outs for his fourth save.

Cardinals 13, Rockies 5

St. Louis — Tony Womack and Reggie Sanders hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning. Matt Morris (2-1) worked around homers by Todd Helton, Vinny Castilla and Kit Pellow, allowing four runs on five hits in seven innings. The Cardinals battered Denny Stark (0-2) for four homers and 11 runs — eight earned — in 21/3 innings.

Phillies 4, Expos 2

Philadelphia — Jim Thome went 4-for-4 with a home run, and Pat Burrell also homered to lead Philadelphia over Montreal in the first night game at Citizens Bank Park. Eric Milton (1-0) allowed two runs over six innings for Philadelphia, which has won two straight for the first time this season.

Livan Hernandez (0-2) gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings.

Dodgers 3, Giants 2

San Francisco — Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer off Eric Gagne in the ninth, but Odalis Perez’s eight scoreless innings led Los Angeles. Bonds, honored before the game for moving into third place on the career homer list earlier this week, sent a 2-2 pitch into the right-center seats for his 662nd homer, cutting it to 3-2. Gagne then retired Pedro Feliz and Edgardo Alfonzo to end it.

D’backs 5, Padres 0

San Diego — Randy Johnson pitched a two-hitter for his first win of the season and added a two-run double, leading Arizona. Johnson (1-1) had eight strikeouts and one walk in recording his 36th career shutout. He allowed only one runner to reach second base.